We (Mark and Mary) are thrilled to be sailing on the 2009 Member cruise with all of you. We've set up the website above as we have for past Member Cruises.

In addition as in past years we will make gifts of buttons to all the DISers and their families. We do this as a way to identify the DISers to each other. We ask only 3 things: 1) you must be a poster on the DIS. In the past we've had people who just found our site via web searches. 2) we ask for your cabin number for the buttons so we can deliver them if you miss the meet. If you want your cabin posted on the site and in the mini navigator so others can find you great - if you want it kept secret we will do that as well. 3) only ask for a button if you are going to wear it. They do cost money and we would hate to waste the money if you aren't going to wear it.

Cut-off for the buttons is August 12, 2009 so if you are interested get your info in soon.

The Logo

Btw, permission IS given to grab the logo below for your own siggie. That's why it's there. Thanks to Time4disneynow/Monika for the original artwork

If you've never done that before, here's some easy instructions!

Highlight the following line, right click and select copy:
[img]http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/36347ssmc2009G.gif[/img]

As noted on the website we have two DIS meets set up. These are based on past Member Cruises and what has worked well. Of course it is up to the group as a whole so if someone has another idea for time/place for the DIS meets let us know. Also if anyone is staying out by the Port Saturday night by all means set up a DIS meet there. We've done that before and it is great fun.

What you can do!

That's what we've taken on, but there are many other things you can do to help make this cruise great.

First and foremost become a regular poster. As we all get to know each other is where the fun comes in.

Things we've done on past cruises that you could volunteer to do:

Linked dining - on past cruises someone took up the job of linking the DIS group in dining. This could be one person willing to do it for both seatings or two people (one for early and one for late). We can put you in contact with who has done it in the past to find out how. Update - Flo is handling this!

Pirates/Swans - a little game we play on the thread based on each 99th post and each 100th post. Update: Gary (OKWMEMBER) who gave us the game on the 2008 thread has volunteered to be the pirate master this year as well even though he isn't sailing with us. Thanks Gary.

Group Party Bus - something we did in 2006. Update: Annmarie has volunteered to look into and organize the party bus!

T-shirts - back in 2005 and 2006 we had group t-shirts. We haven't the past couple of years. Either way works fine, but if someone wants to organize this through cafe press etc. have at it.

Anything else you've done with past cruise groups or something new you'd like to do for this group? Let's hear about it.

Well that is about it - any questions just ask away.

Pirates and Swans:

Pirate postings - on the last Member cruise thread Gary OKWMember came up with the pirate game where each 100th post got a pirate (and later we added each 99th post got an Elizabeth Swan). We even gave prizes away at the onboard DIS meet. Gary has volunteered to be Pirate Master again even though he isn't sailing with us. We'll have a prize for the DISer with the most pirates and the most swans at the onboard DIS meet.

Fish Extenders

Flo (wltdsnyfan) has offered to organize the Fish Extender program. PM her if you are interested in joining. Here's what she has to say about it:

Originally Posted by wltdsnyfan

Hello my fellow SSM09 Cruisers!

Below is the list of people that are participating in the Fish Extender exchange so far.

Also, everyone has two in the room except were I have it listed.

The ones that have ** in front of them have one adult in the room. The ones that have *** have 3 adults in the room and the ones that have **** have 4 adults in a room.

So far there are 37 cabins.

Please keep in mind the cut off to participate in the Fish Extender exchange is August 12, 2009. This way it gives everyone time to get there items.
If any one would like a list with room numbers and such before the SSM09 send me an e mail (girlwolf@excite.com) or PM me your e mail address and after the cut off I will send you the spreadsheet.

Annmarie looked into setting up a chartered bus from WDW to the port and back. Here's what she has to say:

Party Bus: There were approximately 25 people who wanted to do the party bus but unfortunately that number is too low to charter a bus. My thought (while not as fun as a party bus) is perhaps each resort or area organizes transportation to/from your area or resort and the port. This should still be less expensive than than using Disney's transportation.

Click to expand...

Linked Dining

Flo (wltdsnyfan) has volunteered to handle the linking of dining for the group. Thanks Flo! Linking with other DISers adds a lot of fun to the cruise because you can get to know each other here before sailing. That way you aren't sitting with strangers you are sitting with DIS friends. Here is her post:

Originally Posted by wltdsnyfan
Hi!

If any one would like link there dinning together please let me know. You can e mail to me at girlwolf@excite.com or PM them to me. Below is the information I will need for ALL involved (regardless of age). I will need this info no later then the end of July 2009. I know there is some time, but I just wanted to let everyone know.

1) Legal name of Each guest in the stateroom or staterooms
2) Stateroom
3) Age of each guest (at time of sailing)
4) Early or Late seating
5) Who you would like them to be linked to.

Each Waiter can accommodate 18 guests. The tables for each station are 8, 6 and 4.

I had a busy day today. I got lots of cleaning and laundry done. I tend to take this Spring Cleaning thing a little far every year. I don't know what it is, but I just feel the need to clean out every little cabinet and closet once the weather gets warmer. I still have plenty more to do, but I got a good headstart.

Cory spent Friday night at a church lock-in and then Saturday night with a friend of his. So he was pretty much useless today. The boy took a three hour nap which is completely unheard of for him.

Courtney and I had a lot of "girl time" this weekend since Cory was out hanging with the boys. It was really nice to spend some one-on-one with her. She scrapbooked and I worked on her dance costume Friday night and then Saturday night we watched "Enchanted". I really treasure our relationship and I pray that we will remain close as she enters those dreaded teenage years.

Flo - I hope your first day at your new job goes well! I'll be thinking about you. Let us know how you feel about it when you get home. I hope its a perfect match!

Mary - I'm so glad you had a nice time downtown today. You really deserve it! Now I am on a mission to figure out how I'm gonna manage getting tickets to Mary Poppins. I want so bad to bring the kids to see it.

Below is the list of people that are participating in the Fish Extender exchange so far.
If you sent me and e mail or PM and do not see your name please re send. I do not have it, sorry.
Also, everyone has two in the room except were I have it listed.
If you need the information on what the Fish Extender is all about or would like to know who to notify if you would like to par take, please see the first post on the first page of this thread.